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Robert J. Ryan, Jr.

Lieutenant

Lieutenant Ryan and the members of his engine company responded to a structure fire in a residence. He and his crew were working in the attic of the structure when a collapse occurred. Lieutenant Ryan's helmet and facepiece were dislodged by the collapse. He was rescued and brought to the exterior by other firefighters. He was taken to the hospital but did not survive. The cause of death was smoke inhalation.
photo of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Robert J. Ryan, Jr. was honored on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was included in the USFA’s annual report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.

Department information

Fire Department City of New York
9 Metro Tech Center
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Chief: Nicholas Scoppetta

Age: 46
Rank: Lieutenant
Classification: Career
Incident date: November 23, 2008 00:40
Date of death: November 23, 2008
Cause of fatal injury: Collapse
Nature of fatal injury: Asphyxiation
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Residential

Last updated: February 03, 2015